At Watlington Medical Centre, we are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care. To ensure the best possible outcomes and maintain the integrity of your treatment, we have established a policy regarding shared care arrangements with private healthcare providers.

What Does This Mean for You?

1. No Shared Care with Private Providers:

• Our practice does not engage in shared care arrangements with private healthcare providers. This means that we will not share the management of medications, treatments, or ongoing care plans that have been initiated by private providers.

2. Clinical Responsibility:

• The clinical responsibility for the episode of care with the private provider remains solely with the private provider. We believe that having clear lines of clinical responsibility ensures the highest standards of care and patient safety.

3. Seeking Private Healthcare:

• You have the right to seek private healthcare if you choose. However, any treatments or medications prescribed by private providers must be managed independently by those providers. Our practice will not assume responsibility for monitoring or managing treatments initiated privately.

4. Investigations for Private Care:

• If investigations are required for a private episode of care, such as blood tests or imaging requests, these cannot be conducted by our surgery. Patients will need to arrange for these investigations through their private provider.

5. Direct Referrals to NHS Services:

• Private providers have the ability to refer patients directly into NHS services. Patients should discuss this option with their private provider to ensure appropriate and timely referrals. Patients should not ask the GP to facilitate this as it takes time away from our NHS patients.

6. Documentation:

• All decisions regarding shared care arrangements, including any exceptions, will be thoroughly documented in your medical records.

Why Do We Have This Policy?

This policy is in place to ensure that:

• Your care is consistent and managed by a single healthcare provider.
• We maintain the highest standards of patient safety and care quality.
• There is clear communication and responsibility for your treatment.
• This is in order to prioritise our NHS work rather than facilitating private providers who traditionally have used up precious NHS capacity.

Relevant NHS Documents:

For more information, you can refer to the following NHS documents:

• NHS England – Shared Care Protocols: NHS England Shared Care Protocols
• NHS England – Primary Medical Care Policy and Guidance Manual: NHS England Primary Medical Care Policy
• BMA Guidance on Prescribing in General Practice: BMA Prescribing in General Practice

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please do not hesitate to speak with a member of our practice staff. We are here to help and ensure you receive the best possible care.